Roller skate having detachable roller assembly



E. VAN HORN Dec. 29, 1953 ROLLER SKATE HAVING DETACHABLE ROLLER ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 6, 1950 ATTORNEY.

Dec- 29, 1953 E. VAN HORN 2,664,295

ROLLER SKATE HAVING DETACHAELE ROLLER ASSEMBLY Filed July 6. 195o 2 sheets-sheet -2 INVENTOR.

EARL VAN HORN ATTORNEY.

Patente ec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES FFICE ROLLER SKATEV HAVING DETACHABLE RGLLER ASSEMBLY" Earl'Van Horn, Mineola, N. Y.-

Application'Jilly 61'950, Serial -N'o 1721247* 10 Claims.V (Cl. 28th-11.28);

This' invention relates to improvements inroller. skates of the type shown in my Patent Numbers` 2,558,696 and 2,578,961, the applications for whichr were copending herewith which are now known.

which may be stamped vout of sheet metal,'shaped` to form a longitudinallyA elongated pocket` for ree' ceiving a resilient pressurel member 'surroundingl the kingpin', a surfaceV for supportingr aI head' at*v the upper end of the kingpin and a receptaclefor supporting a socket insert for receiving'the upper end of the track arm.

Ana-ir of these hanger `crackets maybe dilier` ently'spaced apart longitudinally to correspond" to skates of different sizes and then intercon necte'd by bridging pieces, channel-shaped inAv cross section, cut to desired lengthsand welded` to thev spaced hanger bracketsbefore'the assembly' is ai'xed to the iootplate;

A further disclosure herein is thatA of a novel construction whereby the rollerasseniblies may be attached toand removed from thehanger brackets from the under side of the footplate without removing the skate from the shoe to which it is attached.

Referring to the drawings,

1A is a plan view of a skate w-l'ii'chk isl made according to and embodies my invention, withl parts'of thev` footplate' broken away'to' showth'e* construction of parts under it;

Fig.r 2'is aside elevation; partly' iii-section, of the skate shown in Fig. l. figure is taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 3 is'afront elevation of theparts" shownN sliownin these figuresr is especially designed" to f' receive suchtoeplate.y This featurey and thetoeplate are more fully described in my copending' application Serial No. 252,873, led October' 24, 1951.

Fig. 4 isV a sectional front elevation" on an en# The section of this This of itself forms no part of-thelarged' scale ofk the upperL part of akingpin and 21. piece like that? shown in Fig. 2; but ofi shorter length, together `with partsoftwohanger bra-ckets towhich the: bridge-piece is connected.

Fig-f. .6-is aperspective view, partly in section, of some ofI the parts'` shown in Fig. 4, with the retainer removed fromV its kingpin head holdingV position.

Fig'. rTisa-tran'sverse sectional elevation on an enlarged scale of scmeof the' parts.` This-sec- Fig. Sisaplanvew of a skate,` with its footplatetilted? in one` direction; and

Fig. 9 a-ront elevation of theV parte: shown in Fig. 82 Figs. 8 and 9`are more or less diasrammatic andi illustrate the operation of the invention.

A designates a footplate; which maybesecured tof ask'atersrshoe. Two Wheel assembliesA B, C are below the plate'. Theseare of similar con struction but are placed oppositely. Each of' themV comprises aone-piece hanger bracket le stamped out of 'slieetnietalg having parallel longitudinal walls Il. 'I'li'e` lower edges l2 of the walls Il are inclined at 'anang-le tothe footplate4` A. These walls` E I` formlongitudinaledges of a rectangular pocket; The lateral ends of this pocketare designatedby i3, IEA. As shown iny Fig. 2, the lower parts' of the side walls ll are bent upw-ardlyover theredgesv I2 and then inwardly and across from A W-all to wall to form a fiatplate Illf parallel with the lower edgesll, in the. center of/Which is an orice l5; The upper parts of` thehanger are-bent to form outwardlyH extending flanges I6, byt means of which theets il.

The hangerbracket-` alsoiorrns-A another plate vIliatoneof its-ends -inclined'to the foot-- plate in l thevopposite direction from the inclina-1A tionof-'the-plate- Ill-z In" itis an orifice l longitudinall'yspaced from the orince l5: This ori-- ce isl formed withy ari-upwardly extendingn annular portion Illia, intouwhich is forced a'v socket insertZilCFig. 2)

At its other' enda p-artlof @the V-lianger bracket extends beyondf the wall 43; as shown at 2i, and hasupstanding parallel sides 22, as shown in'Figs. 2 and 7.

The socket insertf-Zliaslan annular-harige and inner and-outer frusto-conical surfaces 25; 2l. The inner surface-is-closed= at its upper enci-y by. a semi-circular surface 28.- This socket mein;nber is-fforced into ther-orifice it. until its flange 2.5.A aloutsthe plate'A i8; It's'outer.. surface then engagesthe annularportionf mA... Thesocket in- 3 sert is thereby permanently affixed to the hanger bracket.

36 is a Kingpin. At its upper end is a head 3l, the under side 32 of which is flat. Below the head is an externally threaded shank portion 33. A part of the head and of the adjacent part of the shank portion are cut away to form parallel sides 34, 35 normal to the under side 32 of the head. The distance between these sides is less than the diameter of the shank portion 33. The lower part St of the Kingpin is an externally threaded shank portion of less diameter than that of the portion 33.

si) is an axle bracket, in which the axle 4I is supported. i2 designates the rollers on the axle. i3 is an arm which projects from the axle in a direction substantially parallel the edges 22 of the hanger bracket. lli designates an orice in this projecting arm. d5 is a truck arm, in the upper end of which is a pin et having a iiange 4l intermediate its length. The lower part of this pin ts tightly into the truck arm. Its upper portion extends into the socket insert and terminates in a semi-circular surface d8, which, when the parts are in the positions shown in the drawings, abuts the Surface 2S of the socket insert.

I will now describe how the parts thus pointed out are put together: The head 3l of the Kingpin is passed through the orice l5 in the plate i4. Then, a flat retainer E@ is moved longitudinally on the upper surface of the plate lli into a position between this upper surface and the under side 32 of the Kingpin. The retainer has parallel arms El, 52 separated by a slot 53 of a width which aiords a clearance for the sides 3A, 35 of the Kingpin. The ends 55A, 52A of these arms turn upwardly, as shown, back of the head 3i. 56 is an arm extending from the other end of the retainer, having an upturned end 54A by which the retainer may be removed.

When the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 2, a rectangular pressure member 6G is placed around the Kingpin and moved up into the pocket formed by the longitudinal sides Il and the transverse sides I3, ESA of the hanger bracket. Then, a anged plate Si, which also surrounds the Kingpin and is of a shape similar to that of the pocket formed in the hanger bracket, is moved up against the under side of the resilient pressure member B8. Indentations 52 are formed in this plate. G3 is a nut in threaded engagement with the threaded shank portion 33 of the Kingpin. A projection Sd on the upper surface or" this nut cooperates with one of the indentations S2 to lock the nut in place. By turning the nut upwardly a desired amount of pressure is imposed upon the pressure member SG, which tends to keep the Kingpin in a vertical longitudinal plane through the longitudinal axis of the footplate A.

A universal joint connection is thus formed between the upper part of the Kingpin and the hanger bracket as the flat surface of the head is able to rock on the retainer Eil to allow the lower part of the Kingpin to move in all directions. This movement is opposed by the pressure member 6e to an extent proportional to the pressure 4 Between the washer 66 and the arm 43 of the axle bracket is another resilient pressure member 69. The pressure on this member can be adjusted by turning the nut 65. The engagement of the arms 5l, 52 of the retainer with the flat sides 3Q, 35 or" the Kingpin prevents rotation of the Kingpin while these adjustments are being made.

The lower portion of the Kingpin projects through an insert sii in the orice 45'. A castellated nut 31, in threaded engagement with the lower portion 3S of the Kingpin, abuts on the lower surface of the insert 459. This nut is capable of rocking on the insert le and thus forms a universal joint connection between the lower part of the Kingpin and the axle bracket. The pressure member G9 opposes this rocking movement and tends to bring the arm i3 of the axle bracket into alinement with the longitudinal axis of the footplate after such a rocking movement has been effected. The opposition to this rocking movement, and the amount of pressure effective to return the parts to their normal positions, depends upon the amount of pressure exerted by the member Se, which can be adjusted by turning the nut 65.

The parts thus described are those of the wheel assembly on the rear end of the skate. rIhe wheel assembly at the other end of the skate is similar, but in this particular case a part 'lil of the truck arm is shown, which may be provided for the purpose of receiving a toeplate or brake "il, ii desired.

The wheel assemblies are mounted on the footplate A in opposite directions, with the ends of their extensions abutting each other. These extensions are cut to different lengths, according to the length of the footplates, to which the hanger brackets are to be applied. 88 is a channel-shaped bridgepiece having upturned sides Si spaced within and anixed to the extensions 2i. rlhe extensions 2| and the bridgepiece 86A in Fig. 5 are shorter than similar parts in Fig. 2 and this illustrates the fact that these parts are of dierent lengths to accommodate skates with footplates of different lengths.

When the king pins are tilted out of the vertical plane, as diametrically shown at 33A in Fig. 9, it will shift the axles to the positions shown at 4i A, filB in Fig. 8. This operation is similar to the usual one, with the exception of the fact that, because of the flexible connection between the ootplate and the upper ends of the Kingpins, the action of the Kingpin on the axle bracket is not positive, but is cushioned to the extent determined by the amount of pressure exerted upon thel upper resilient pressure members S, which have a tendency to maintain the Kingpin in a vertical position.

Because of the adjustability of the degree oi pressure on the members 6&3 and 69, these parts may be regulated to suit the individual users tastes and requirements. It has been pointed out that these adjustments can be made independently and the parts locked in the desired positions.

Because of the elongated shape of the upper resilient members t6, they will oppose longitudinal movement of the lower ends of the Kingpins to a greater extent than they will oppose the lateral movement of the lower ends of the Kingpins.

Various modications in construction, mode of operation. method and use of an invention may and do occur to others, especially after beneiitting from knowledge of such disclosures @peugeot-e as that' herein* presented of` the principles irr-v volved, but the invention itself is-n'ot' conii'nedtoY the present showing.

I claim:

i. In a skate, a footplate, anhang'erA thereonl having a plate spacedy from `the ioctplate, a roller` assembly" comprising an axle, an axlel bracket having an armA extending longitudinallyl from the axle and a truck arm extendingV upwardly'4` from the means for connecting the upper part of the truck arm with the iootplate, aking-i pin passing through an orice formed in said' longitudinally extendingv arm of the axle bracket and having a head passing' tltirough anf orifice` formed in said plate or the hanger', said secondi orifice being'long-itudinally spaced fromv the con-- nection of truck'arrn with the io'otplate', said" kingpin head being above'the plate ofthe hanger;

a' removable retainer interposed between saidl head and the plate of the hanger,` a pressure;` member interposed between the longitudnaily" extending arm oi?` the axle bracket and they langer, and a nut under saidlongitudinally extending arm in threaded engagement with the.

kingpin.

2. In a. skate, a footplate, a hanger thereon having a plate spaced from the footplate, aroller: assembly comprising an axle, an axle bracket. having an arm extending longitudinallyY from the axle and a truck armextending' upwardly'from the axle, means for flexibly connecting the upperfv part of the truckfarrn with the footplate, azkingf pin passing with clearance through an" oriic'ev formed in said longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and having a head'. passinv under said longitudinally extending arm. in4

threaded engagement with the kingpin.

3. In a skate, a footplate, a hanger thereon having a plate disposed at an angleto and spaced t from the ootplate, a roller assembly comprising an axle, an axlesbracket'having an arm extending longitudinally from theaxle and a truck arm extending upwardly from the axle, meansfo'r iiexibly connecting the upper part of the truck arm with the hanger, a kingpin passing with clearance through an orice formed in said longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and having a head passing through an orice formed in said plate of the hanger, said second orice being longitudinally spaced from the connection of the truck arm with the hanger, said kingpin head being above the plate of the hanger, a removable retainer interposed between said head and the plate of the hanger, a resilient pressure member interposed between the longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and the hanger, and a nut under said longitudinally extending arm in threaded engagement with the kingpin.

4. In a skate, a iootplate, a hanger thereon having a plate spaced from the footplate, a roller assembly comprising an axle, an axle bracket having an arm extending longitudinally from the axle and a truck arm extending upwardly from the axle, means for connecting the upper part of the truck arm with the footplate, a king- Iii) pin`- passing# through an orifice formed in said`- longitudinally extending arm ofthe axle bracketV and having a head passing through an orifice;

formed in said plate of the hanger', said second orifice being longitudinally spaced from the connection of the truck arm with the footplate, saidA kingpin head being above the plate of the hanger,

a removable retainer interposed between said'` head and the plate of the hanger, an adjustable pressureimember surrounding the kingpin interposed between the longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and the hanger, and anut under said longitudinally extending` arm in threaded,` engagement with the kingpin.

5..Inv a skate, a footplate, a hanger thereon having-a plate spaced from the footplate, a roller" assemblyl comprising an axle, an axle bracket..

having?" an arm extending longitudinally from the. axlev and a truck arm extending upwardly.` from the` axle, means for connecting the upper' partof. the truck arm with the ioctplate, a king'- pinpassing through an orifice formed in said' longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket.-

and having a head passing through an orin formed in said plate of tne hanger, said second orifice. being longitudinally spaced from the connection of the truck with the footplate, said king,- pin head being above the plate of the hanger and having flattened parallel sides under the. head laterally spaced apart a distance less. thanj the lateral dimension of the head, a removable:

retainerinterposed between said head and the plateof the hanger, said retainer having arms' spaced to pass the ilattened sides of the kingpinwith clearance, a pressure member interposed`v` between the longitudinally extending arm of theA axle bracket and the hanger, and a nut under said longitudinally extending arm in threaded engagement with the kingpin.

6. In a skate a footplate, a hanger'thereon having a plate spaced from the footplate, a roller assembly comprising an axle, an axie bracket having an arm extending longitudinally from the axle and a truck arm extending` upwardly from the axle, means for connecting the upper partof the truck arm with the footpiate, a kingpin'passing through an orifice formed in said longitudi nally extending arm of the axle bracket and hav-- ing a headpassing through an orice formed in said plate of the'hanger, said second orifice being longitudinally spaced from the connection:

of the. truck arm. with the footplate, said kingpin head being above the plate of the hanger and having flattened parallel sides under the head laterally spaced apart a distance less than the lateral dimension of the head, a removable retainer interposed between said head and the plate of the hanger, said retainer having arms spaced to pass the flattened sides o1" the kingpin with clearance and having upturned ends beyond the head ofthe kingpin, a pressure member interposed between the longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and the hanger, and a nut under said longitudinally extending arm in threaded engagement with the kingpin.

7 In a skate, a footplate, a hanger thereon having a plate having a dat upper surface spaced from the footplate, a roller assembly comprising an axle, an axle bracket having an arm extending longitudinally from the axle and a truck arm extending upwardly from the axle, means for connecting the upper part of the truck arm with the footplate, a kingpin passing through an oriiice formed in said longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and having a head passing through an orifice formed in said plate of the hanger, said second orifice being longitudinally spaced from the connection of the truck arm with the footplate, said kingpin head being above the plate of the hanger, and having a at under surface, a nat removable retainer interposed between said head and the plate of the hanger, a resilient pressure member interposed between the longitudinally extending arm or the axle bracket and the hanger, and a nut under said longitudinally extending arm in threaded engagement with the Kingpin.

8. ln a skate, a footplate, a hanger thereon having a plate spaced from the footplate, a roller assembly comprising an axle, an axle bracket having an arm extending longitudinally from the axle and a truck arm extending upwardly from the axle, means for flexibly connecting the upper part of the truck arm with the footplate, a iringpin passing with clearance through an `oridce formed in said longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and having a head passing through an orifice formed in said plate of the hanger, said second orifice being longitudinally spaced from the connection of the truck arm with the foot-plate, said kingpin head being above the plate of the hanger, a removable retainer interposed between said head and the plate of the hanger, an upper longitudinally elongated resilient pressure member under said plate oi the hanger, a lower resilient pressure member above the longitudinally7 extending arm of the axle bracket, said pressure members sur-- rounding the Kingpin, a nut in threaded engagement with the Kingpin between the pressure members, and an independently adjustable nut under said longitudinally extending arm in threaded engagement with the Kingpin.

9. In a skate, a footplate, a hanger thereon having a plate spaced from the ootplate, a roller assembly comprising an axle, an axle bracket having an arm extending longitudinally from the axle and a truck arm extending upwardly from the axle, means for flexibly connecting the upper part of the truck arm with the ootplate, a kingpin passing with clearance through an oriiice formed in said longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and having a head passing through an orifice formed in said plate of the hanger, said second orice being longitudinally spaced from the connection of the truck arm with the footplate, said kingpin head being above the plate of the hanger, a removable retainer interposed between said head and the plate of the hanger, an upper longitudinally elongated resilient pressure member under said plate of the hanger, a lower resilient pressure member above the longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket, said pressure members surrounding the Kingpin, a pair of independently adjustable nuts in threaded engagement with the Kingpin between the pressure members, and a nut under said longitudinally extending arm in threaded engagement with the kingpin.

10. In a skate, a footplate, a sheet metal hanger thereon shaped to form two plates disposed at opposite angles to and spaced from the footplate and longitudinally spaced from each other, a roller assembly comprising an axle, an axle bracket having an arm extending longitudinally from the axle and a truck arm extending upwardly from the axle, means for flexibly connecting the upper part of the truck arm with one of the plates of the hanger, a kingpin passing with clearance through an orice formed in said longitudinally extending arm of the axle bracket and having a head passing through an orice formed in the other plate of the hanger longitudinally spaced from the connection of the truck arm with the hanger, said kingpin head being above said plate of the hanger, a removable retainer interposed between said head and said plate of the hanger, a resilient pressure member interposed between the longitudinally extending arm oi the axle bracket and the hanger, and a nut under said longitudinally extending arm in threaded engagement with the kingpin.

EARL VAN HORN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 338,736 Henley Mar. 30, 1886 1,403,813 Pinto Jan. 17, 1922 1,640,134 Salbei-g Aug. 23, 1927 2,275,035 Pardon Mar. 3, 1942 2,341,576 Shye Feb. 15, 1944 2,353,933 Schneider July 18, 19114 2,373,220 Blaes Apr. 10, 1945 2,429,678 Fuller Oct. 28, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 321,823' italy Oct. 18, 1934 

